Civilization 7 offers big changes, but its core is warm and familiar

Civilization 7 offers big changes, but its core is warm and familiar

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours building empires and ruling the world in the Civilization series, I must admit that the announcement of Civilization 7 has me both excited and intrigued. The new Ages system is undoubtedly a game-changer, offering a fresh take on an already beloved formula.


What are some innovative ideas for revamping a game series such as Civilization? Firaxis’ 4X strategy game is now a true gaming icon, and while it has progressed significantly since its inception, the developers of Civilization 7 aim for a major overhaul.

The game is going to unveil a fresh Ages mechanism, designed to subtly guide players towards goals, ensuring a more seamless progression from the initial turn to the final turn 1001.

Civ 7’s new Ages system is a big change

Civilization 7 offers big changes, but its core is warm and familiar

Over the years, if you’ve dabbled in Civilization, you’re likely familiar with falling into a comfortable pattern of play.

In simpler terms, you establish a city, raise an army, choose your philosophical alignment, and then the cycle continues with more cities, inhabitants, and onward expansion follows.

In this new playthrough, you’ll commence right away at the start of the Ancient Era. As you progress through the era, you’ll receive subtle hints guiding you towards goals and chances to advance along four distinct Legacy Tracks.

Each of these areas (Science, Economics, Culture, and Military) is linked to a classic Civilization gameplay strategy and victory objective.

Civilization 7 offers big changes, but its core is warm and familiar

Eventually, even the best phases must conclude, making way for new eras as your advancements unfold. With every step forward in your development and expansion of your civilization, you’ll transition through the stages of Exploration and Modernity.

As I journey through life, I’ve learned that with every change comes a challenge, often manifesting as crises that can erode the foundations of my community, leaving us to rebuild and regroup.

Every Era has its unique measures of time and strength, implying that ancient warriors from 1000BC can’t directly face off against contemporary tanks. However, this setup could offer chances for players who are falling behind to close the gap.

It doesn’t mean that those in the lead won’t receive advantages. On the contrary, those at the front will encounter crises as well, but they will reap a set of benefits and have the opportunity to pass on aspects of their civilization to the next one.

Next Civilization?

Civilization 7 offers big changes, but its core is warm and familiar

Absolutely, as intended – you’ll have the opportunity to change civilizations as you transition through different eras. For instance, Firaxis illustrated a scenario where an Egyptian civilization could excel at conquering via rivers, but also proved victorious in developing cavalry units and ruling over the grasslands.

In this scenario, the game could prompt you to choose Mongolia as your Civilization during the second era, opening up a fresh set of advantages and allowing you to alter your Legacy Course as well.

In the latest update, Firaxis has separated leaders from civilizations, allowing players to choose each independently. This is a significant shift, as it could increase the popularity of less frequently chosen civilizations like the United States, especially when combined with a leader who offers advantages during the early stages of gameplay.

Regarding playtime, I managed to engage for approximately 20 minutes. It’s far from exploring the intricacies of the game extensively, yet the variety of choices presented was a refreshing departure from my initial moves.

In conjunction with the emergence of new eras, decisions will become more frequent. Discover a burial site of an ancient civilization, and you have the choice between taking its ceremonial artifacts or learning to create your own. Encounter villages, and you can choose whether to take something valuable from them or purchase it instead.

The choices made now are significant for future stages, serving to maintain player interest during less action-packed periods when we’re exploring and designing the game world. Rest assured, however, that Civilization continues to be as addictively appealing as before, with its core essence remaining unchanged amidst these major transformations.

Final Thoughts

In a simplified and engaging manner, I would say: “Civilization VII offers a comfortable feeling for those who have played the series previously, but what sets it apart is its Ages system, which allows players to craft a richer, more interconnected storyline that goes beyond mere turn-by-turn gameplay.”

As a player, I find myself immersed in an even richer playground of tactical opportunities. Now, I feel empowered to craft my very own adventure within the game.

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2024-08-23 10:12